Our View: Movement in downtown Springfield is encouraging

Wednesday

Dec 6, 2017 at 8:00 PM

Economic data proves that there are plenty of people near downtown Springfield. And recently it’s also becoming an area where businesses want to be.

One of the latest businesses to open downtown is the Willow & Birch Salon, which last week held its formal opening in the former National Museum of Surveying building. Co-owner Jessica Kocurek moved her salon from the west side after doing an informal survey, which found that three-fourths of her customers worked within three blocks of the plaza.

She’s backed by more than just feedback from her clients: Economic data used to pitch Springfield to prospective retailers shows there are more than 80,000 residents and just under 36,000 households within three miles of the city center anchored by Old Capitol Plaza.

And that — Old Capitol Plaza — is where Kocurek and business partner Chris Nickell moved their salon. They purchased and remodeled the former museum with the help of $120,000 from the downtown tax increment financing district. The salon and 21 employees occupy the building, with a continuing education program scheduled to open early next year.

It’s an excellent use of the building, which had been vacant since the survey museum closed in 2013. It's also a far better use than Mayor Jim Langfelder's proposal last year to have the city buy the structure, and it's a project that makes sense for TIF investment.

And the salon is not the only existing business to make the move to downtown: The Springfield Clock Shop has planted roots there too, at 629 E. Washington St., after spending decades on South Grand Avenue East. The owners say they want to take advantage of the walk-in traffic from the Lincoln presidential museum and the hotels located downtown.

While it’s great that established businesses are committed to staying in Springfield, downtown can't thrive at the expense of commerce being lost elsewhere. New businesses must be attracted — and that’s happening as well. Two new craft breweries are expected to open soon, one in the 400 block of East Adams Street and the other in the 600 block of East Washington Street. The Kidzeum of Health and Science is expected to be up and running by next summer in the 400 block of East Adams.

This being December, the annual Holiday Walks allow existing downtown establishments to put their best feet forward. Downtown Springfield Inc. is again hosting holiday “pop up” stores in hopes some will become permanent retail locations. The free WiFi now available downtown is a signal of the city’s commitment to innovation. A decision on what will go on the land previously occupied by the former YWCA could come this month too, which hopefully would prompt others to think about how they can be an integral part of downtown too.

In short, there’s something of a buzz in the downtown area — a promise of what could be. It’s an encouraging sign, and one that needs to be nurtured. Downtowns that thrive tend to have unique stores and restaurants residents can’t find elsewhere — traits that will draw customers back repeatedly.

Commercial real estate agent Steve Myers said the occupancy rates for downtown have been between 60 to 75 percent in recent years. He maintains that adapting former office buildings to new uses provide the best opportunity downtown. TIF money can be used to accomplish that, and again, that's an appropriate use.

We’ve long prompted the city to think grand when it comes to downtown. The bar should be set high and projects done in a cohesive manner to provide a consistent experience for visitors. A robust combination of businesses and attractions can work together to draw customers to downtown in general, not just their respective establishments. It hopefully will encourage more housing to be developed to accommodate those who want downtown to be their home, not just the place they visit.

The downtown should be the heart of the city. The recent actions downtown are good steps to creating a healthy heart that can help strengthen all of Springfield.

Information

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The State Journal-Register ~ Street address: One Copley Plaza (corner of Ninth Street and Capitol Avenue), Springfield, ILMailing address: The State Journal-Register, P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service